Take a quick trip to the Galapagos to explore the Southern Islands. This 4-day trip offers chances to see places like Santa Cruz, Espanola, Santa Fe and more. Witness the beautiful plants and animals that call the islands home. Walk along the trails to see marine iguanas, sea lions, and other animals as you learn about your surroundings from your knowledgeable guides. Take the opportunity to snorkel, swim, and hike your way through the Galapagos aboard the Angelito.

Activities

Trip Type

Activity Level

Trip Snapshots

Day 1 Baltra | Embark | Santa Cruz

Fly into Baltra and travel to Santa Cruz. Drive up to the highlands in a bus. Watch the transition between the different vegetation zones and reach the highest point where the National Park starts again.

Day 2 Espanola

Espanola is one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos. There is a large number of endemic species that can be found there, like the Galapagos albatross.

Take the loop trail on the rocky ground. During the beginning of the walk you can see the colorful marine iguana and sea lions. As you continue also see mockingbirds, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, waved albatross, and lava lizards. Reach a resting spot to watch marine birds fly along the coast. There is also another stop to see the blowhole where seawater is sprayed 80 feet into the air.

Later travel to Gardner Bay and go swimming and snorkeling. Spend time on the white sandy beaches and observe finches, mockingbirds, and sea lions.

Day 3 Santa Fe | South Plaza

Upon reaching Santa Fe you have the option of taking a short trail or a long trail around the island. The short trail leads from a sea lion colony on the beach to a forested cliff with prickly pear cactus and then on to a second beach. The long trail starts with a dry stony creek and a steep climb onto a plateau. You then go through high palo santo trees and pricky pear cactus to get to a beautiful view of the bay. If you look closely you may even be able to see the well-camouflaged land iguana. Along with these two trail options you can also go snorkeling in the bay along the rocky coast.

In South Plaza you can watch a sea lion colony, see the prickly pear cactus, and witness the big colony of land iguanas. Depending on the season, the Sesuvium ground vegetation changes its color from intense green to orange and purple.

Day 4 Black Turtle Cove | Baltra | Disembark

1 Breakfast

Take a dinghy ride into the big protected mangrove cove. Farther in the motor is turned off so you can row around and observe marine turtles. You may also see spotted eagle rays, golden rays, white-tipped reef sharks, and young Galapagos sharks.

We Love to Talk Travel

The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.